Farmers Kill Fourth Sumatran Tiger This Month
Posted on: Friday, 27 February 2009, 14:41 CST
Indonesian villagers have killed another endangered Sumatran tiger this month, environmental group World Wildlife Fund said, raising the death count to four tigers and six people this month.
"We learned on February 24 that another Sumatran tiger had been trapped and killed by villagers after it attacked two farmers on Sunday," WWF spokeswoman Syamsidar told AFP.
"This is the fourth tiger killed this month and we are concerned because it is a protected animal and an endangered species."
Fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers roam the wild, according to WWF.
The recent incident began when farmers from the Simpang Gaung village in Riau province were attacked, Syamsidar said.
"The tiger in the latest killing had wandered into the village as its habitat had been destroyed by people," she added.
"I urge the police to carry out a complete investigation... the killers must be arrested quickly," said Indonesian Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Kaban.
"They can't kill these tigers as they please. Whatever their excuse, the tigers must be protected."
The Sumatran Tiger is listed as Critically Endangered on the 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and is a Protected species under Indonesian law.
Sumatra is home to many iconic species such as tigers, orangutans, rhinoceros and elephants. Over the last 20 years, the region has lost about half of its forest cover due to illegal forest clearance caused by floods and forest fires.
Earlier this month, villagers reported safety concerns due to three tigers lurking near the forest village of Halaban in West Sumatra.
In an effort to drive the animals away, regional conservation agency officials have set off explosions using gunpowder-filled metal pipes.
Residents have become so fearful of the tigers that they have kept away from working in their nearby farms.
"If the tigers keep creating conflict to the village, then we have to use traps and relocate them," said provincial conservation agency head Indra Arinal.
In January, two women were trampled to death by a pair of elephants in Aceh province after the animals entered an illegally cleared field from nearby jungle. A man was also reportedly killed by two tigers on Sumatra island last month.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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